IndoctriNation Podcast with Rachel Bernstein

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IndoctriNation Podcast with Rachel Bernstein Welcome to IndoctriNation: A weekly podcast covering cults, manipulators, & systems of control

(COMING WEDNESDAY) Jessi Hersey is a passionate and resilient author and cult survivor who has captured readers' hearts ...
07/07/2025

(COMING WEDNESDAY) Jessi Hersey is a passionate and resilient author and cult survivor who has captured readers' hearts with her Pencraft Award-winning book, Lit Soul: My Journey Back to Faith. A proud neurodivergent writer, she has bravely shared her story of leaving the Twin Flames Universe cult, an experience that nearly cost her everything—including her identity. Her upcoming memoir promises an unflinching look at the harm inflicted on the LGBTQ+ community by this organization. When she's not writing, you can find her spending time with her beloved kitties, Max and Matilda, and her newest companion, a spirited puppy named Rosie. Together, they explore the world and find solace under the open sky.

(COMING WEDNESDAY) Nikki G. is a Certified Trauma Recovery Coach who helps survivors recover and thrive after Religious ...
30/06/2025

(COMING WEDNESDAY) Nikki G. is a Certified Trauma Recovery Coach who helps survivors recover and thrive after Religious Trauma & Cult involvement. She is also a survivor of multiple narcissistic relationships, religious trauma, as well as a former member of multiple cultic communities. Nikki is the CEO of Nikki G Speaks LLC, which exists to support survivors with individual coaching services, an online community, and other various forms of psychoeducation related to religious trauma, narcissistic abuse, and cult involvement. Nikki is also a co-host of the podcast “Surviving the Black Church” where she and her co-hosts delve into conversations regarding religious trauma in the Black Church. She and another colleague have just recently founded The Black Religious Trauma Recovery Network, which is a resource to educate, support, and empower black religious trauma survivors. Nikki also sits on the board of directors for Tears of Eden.

Reviews like this boost our reach and help other listeners, like you, find the show.
27/06/2025

Reviews like this boost our reach and help other listeners, like you, find the show.

(COMING WEDNESDAY) Claire Hoffman is the author of the memoir Greetings from Utopia Park and a journalist reporting for...
23/06/2025

(COMING WEDNESDAY) Claire Hoffman is the author of the memoir Greetings from Utopia Park and a journalist reporting for national magazines on culture, religion, celebrity, business, and more. She was formerly a staff reporter for the Los Angeles Times and Rolling Stone. She is a graduate of UC Santa Cruz, and has an MA in religion from the University of Chicago and an MA in journalism from Columbia University. She serves on the boards of the Columbia School of Journalism, ProPublica, and the Brooklyn Public Library. Her new book is SISTER, SINNER: The Miraculous Life and Mysterious Disappearance of Aimee Semple McPherson.

17/06/2025

In this Patreon bonus episode, Rachel Bernstein dives into the phenomenon of "cult hopping," a term used to describe the pattern of individuals moving from one high-control environment to another, often without recognizing the similarities between them. She explores how past experiences in cults can lead to subconscious behaviors that draw individuals to new groups that may appear different on the surface but share underlying dynamics of control and manipulation.

Rachel discusses the emotional and psychological factors that contribute to cult hopping, including trauma repetition, identity crises, and cognitive vulnerability. She emphasizes that many survivors of cults often find themselves seeking out new ideologies or relationships that mimic the familiar structures they were conditioned to accept, even if these new environments prove to be harmful.

Through real-life examples, Rachel illustrates how individuals can unintentionally trade one controlling ideology for another, whether it be in self-help groups, political movements, or other high-control environments. She stresses the importance of recognizing these patterns and understanding the psychological landscape of cult hopping as a crucial step toward reclaiming autonomy and ensuring healthier future choices.

This episode is a vital resource for anyone who has experienced the complexities of leaving a cult or high-control group and is seeking clarity on their journey to healing and self-discovery. Stay tuned for part two of this discussion, where Rachel will continue to unpack the intricacies of cult hopping and offer further insights into breaking free from these patterns.

We appreciate your support for the podcast. While Patreon helps sustain the show in part, we understand that a monthly c...
17/06/2025

We appreciate your support for the podcast. While Patreon helps sustain the show in part, we understand that a monthly commitment isn’t always possible. If you’d like to contribute in another way, you can make a one-time donation via PayPal. The link is in the comments. Thank you for your support!

(COMING WEDNESDAY) Jon Atack is a leading expert on authoritarian cult groups as well as a best-selling author. He has w...
16/06/2025

(COMING WEDNESDAY) Jon Atack is a leading expert on authoritarian cult groups as well as a best-selling author. He has worked with hundreds of former members and has lectured and written extensively in a career spanning four decades. Jon wrote Scientology: The Cult of Greed as a simple introduction to the subject. His influential book Let’s Sell These People a Piece of Blue Sky is the only comprehensive history of this bizarre group.

Through his popular YouTube channel and podcast, he endeavours to make complex psychological ideas accessible. His scholarship has been supported by many academics from varying fields of study.

Jon’s book Opening Our Minds shows how cultic behaviours are established throughout society and sheds light on the methods used in pseudo-religions, therapy and commercial cults, terrorism, gangs, grooming, hazing and modern slavery. He also shows that these methods succeed because of failures in our education system.

Today, we are continuing our conversation from a few months back, which Patreon members have already had the opportunity to hear and watch. Moving forward, we hope to have a check-in with Jon every couple of months to pick his brain and get insights on his ever-growing and always fascinating research into cult dynamics and the world more broadly.

(COMING WEDNESDAY) Jonathan Hirsch is an award-winning podcast producer, executive, and host. He is the founder of Neon ...
09/06/2025

(COMING WEDNESDAY) Jonathan Hirsch is an award-winning podcast producer, executive, and host. He is the founder of Neon Hum Media, a partner company with Sony Music Entertainment. He has worked on over 100 shows, with a dozen #1 podcasts including Bag Man with Rachel Maddow, Dateline’s The Thing About Pam with Keith Morrison, Very Scary People with Donnie Wahlburg, and Murder on the Towpath with Soledad O’Brien. He is the creator of the original series Smoke Screen, now in its seventh season, which includes the investigative podcast documentaries Fake Priest, I Am Rama, The Sellout, Deadly Cure, and most recently the hit series Betrayal on the Bayou. He is a Peabody-nominated producer, and the recipient of the Green Eyeshade, Edward R. Murrow, and duPont Awards for his reporting and production.

His new audio memoir, The Mind is Burning follows Jonathan Hirsch’s experience caring for his father battling dementia, his childhood in a cult in Northern California, and the complicated journey of losing a loved one who mistreated you.

06/06/2025

(OUT ON PATREON) In this engaging follow-up to part one, Rachel continues her exploration of apocalyptic thinking, delving deeper into the psychological foundations that contribute to this mindset. Building on the previous episode, she discusses how fear of the unknown and the need for control can drive individuals toward apocalyptic beliefs, providing a sense of purpose and direction in uncertain times.

Rachel highlights the personality traits that may predispose individuals to apocalyptic thinking, such as authoritarianism and openness to experience. She examines how cult leaders exploit these psychological factors to manipulate followers, creating fear, urgency, and dependency through apocalyptic narratives. By using compelling examples, including the infamous David Koresh and the Branch Davidians, she illustrates how these leaders foster a strong sense of community while isolating their members from the outside world.

(COMING WEDNESDAY) Dr. Olga Yurkova is a Ukrainian journalist and co-founder of StopFake.org (Stopfake), an independent ...
02/06/2025

(COMING WEDNESDAY) Dr. Olga Yurkova is a Ukrainian journalist and co-founder of StopFake.org (Stopfake), an independent Ukrainian organization that trains an international cohort of fact-checkers in an effort to curb propaganda and misinformation in the media. She spoke with us last July about her work fighting Russian propaganda campaigns in Ukraine with her projects Forbidden Facts and StopFake.org. Since then Vladimir Putin's violent invasion has ravaged the Ukrainian landscape displacing millions of people and causing thousands of civilian casualties in just a few months' time.

🎧 Listen on the IndoctriNation Podcast

(COMING WEDNESDAY) Michelle Moffitt Rogers is a licensed therapist, Enneagram expert, and author of Cracked Open. She sp...
26/05/2025

(COMING WEDNESDAY) Michelle Moffitt Rogers is a licensed therapist, Enneagram expert, and author of Cracked Open. She specializes in helping individuals navigate anxiety, feeling stuck, identity struggles, and the impact of religious trauma. With a deep understanding of change management and narrative-focused therapy, Michelle guides clients toward self-trust, personal growth, and rediscovering their true selves.

Her work integrates science-backed strategies with the power of storytelling, offering people a path to healing and transformation. Whether exploring the Enneagram as a tool for self-awareness or challenging long-held beliefs, Michelle empowers others to embrace change with curiosity and courage.

Michelle is also the author of Cracked Open: A Journey to a Resilient and Independent Mindset, where she shares her expertise and personal journey of leaving a high-control system to inspire growth, self-trust, and transformation. Her passion for development shines through in every aspect of her work, making her a sought-after voice in personal and professional transformation.

Beyond her professional life, Michelle is a mother to five remarkable adult humans and lives in the Pacific Northwest with her handsome partner. Outside of work, you’ll find her in coffee shops, exploring cultures through food and travel, or cheering on her favorite teams from the bleachers.

When someone repeatedly chooses to hurt you, they no longer deserve your self-sacrifice or your silence. 'Why Did I Stay...
20/05/2025

When someone repeatedly chooses to hurt you, they no longer deserve your self-sacrifice or your silence. 'Why Did I Stay,' featuring Rachel Bernstein, LMFT, MSEd, offers profound insights into why we stay in harmful situations and how to reclaim your power. This video is for anyone ready to prioritize their well-being and break free from cycles of pain.

✨ Ready to take the first step toward understanding and healing? Visit the link in the comments to purchase 'Why Did I Stay' and begin your journey today. ✨

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About the IndoctriNation Podcast

The show first premiered on SoundCloud in April 16, 2018, and we have grown your support through Patreon and YouTube. We continue to deliver a Wednesday-weekly podcast featuring guests that bravely share their experiences with controlling groups and manipulation. Rachel Bernstein, LMFT, offers advice on how to identify and protect yourself from a cult or narcissistic person.